- Pope John Paul II
A relic from the Italian chapel that contains the blood of pope John Paul II has been stolen.
It appears to have been taken during the burglary of a small chapel that was a place of special significance to the late pope, BBC reports.
The relic was stolen from the San Pietro Della Lenca church in the central Abruzzo region on Saturday. The gold reliquary went missing along with a crucifix after thieves gained entry to the building possibly by smashing a window.
John Paul’s former personal secretary gifted the souvenir to the church to commemorate him.
The pope used to escape the pressures of life in the Vatican by coming to the mountains. He used to hike and ski in this area.
It is one of only three known vials containing the Polish pope’s blood, who is expected to be declared a saint in a ceremony at the Vatican on April 27, and they are considered to be of great religious significance.
Dozens of police officers are now searching the area with sniffer dogs.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
